New poll: Jay Nixon needs to take tougher stance against Syrian refugees

A new poll suggests that Missourians want Gov. Jay Nixon to take a tougher stand against allowing Syrian refugees to enter the state.

The survey, by the conservative Missouri Alliance for Freedom, found that just more than six of 10 Missourians want Nixon, a Democrat, to join other governors around the country in taking a hard stance against accepting Syrian refugees.

Nixon has refused to join 30 other governors, mostly Republicans, who are taking steps to stop Syrian refugees from entering their states.

The survey of 1,451 likely voters was taken Tuesday and Wednesday. The survey was conducted by the Remington Research Group headed by Republican strategist Jeff Roe of Kansas City.

Asked if Syrian refugees should be allowed to enter the U.S., 22 percent said yes while 67 percent said no. Twelve percent said they were unsure.

More than three of four Missouri voters said they were more concerned about Missouri accepting refugees in the wake of the Paris attacks.

Asked if voters trusted the U.S. government to effectively screen members of ISIS from incoming Syrian refugees, 22 percent said yes while 68 percent said no. Nine percent were unsure.